Hardy - Merlin C

Hardy, Merlin C. (1910-1984)

Merlin Hardy was born on July 9, 1910, in Oakland, California. After graduating from Oakland High School, he studied at the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco for four and half years. He worked in oil, sculpture, design, and illustration. He had a one-man show at the Art Center in San Francisco and exhibited at a number of institutions in California. Hardy worked for the California Federal Arts Project but left it in 1937, transferring to the Connecticut Federal Arts Project where he was given work for six months. He lived at Wesleyan University and in 1938 completed 20 easel works for the Connecticut Federal Arts Project. They were allocated to Weaver High School in Hartford, Connecticut State Farm for Women, Norwich State Hospital, Fairfield State Hospital, and Cedarcrest Sanatorium. Hardy returned to California in July 1938. After the WPA dissolved he painted murals on ocean liners. He stopped painting professionally after the Second World War and worked for Gump’s Department Store as a designer of decorations on ceramics and fine china. He passed away in San Francisco, California on October 17, 1984.

Sources: WPA Artist’s Work Card; WPA Biography; AskART; “Californian Returns,” WPA Federal Arts Project Newsletter, July 1938.

Works of Art Listed in CT Archives’ database from Merlin Hardy:

Hardy, Merlin C.